Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems

Abstract

Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simple, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a control system for operating a sliding power-operated door movable along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and fully open position relative to a body opening within a body portion of a self-propelled motor vehicle, control circuitry within the sliding door for operating electrically powered equipment within the sliding door, the control circuitry comprising: control logic means for locally controlling the operation of the electrically powered equipment within the sliding door;   battery means for storing electrical power required to run the control logic means and the electrically powered equipment within the door where the door is not in its closed position; and   bidirectional wireless communications means, mounted on the sliding door, for transmitting and receiving to and from the body portion communications signals containing information related to a plurality of control signals for controlling a plurality of functions associated with the sliding door.   
     
     
       2. Control circuitry as in claim 1, further comprising: means for producing a plurality of control signals provided as inputs to the bidirectional wireless communications means, such means for producing including at least one device intended to be actuated manually, one limit switch device providing information about a condition of the door, and at least one automatically operated device which generates a signal upon the occurrence of certain conditions associated with the door.